Wensday Febuary 18
Due
• Letterform Relationships comp: center the mark on 11" x 8.5" white paper, unmounted
• Results of your letterform mark readability survey - just for your info and input - I may ask about the results, but there is nothing to turn in.
Reminders
• Show the mark to as many people as you can - you are too biased to fairly judge readability
• Avoid a mark in which 3 letters have simply been grouped together
• Avoid being able to replace one of your letters with any of the other 25 letters
• Seek a mark that clearly communicates yet requires a little participation from the viewer
• Include in the mark some wit, cleverness, intrigue, barb, and memorability
• Seek a high level of attention to detail: alignment, neatness, relationships, order
• Strive for consistency in stroke weight (if appropriate), point size, pattern, rhythm, gaps, baseline, angles
Inking tips
• Use permanent ink felt/plastic tip markers
• Use a ruler or straightedge for even lines
• Use pencil or grey markers for tints of black
• Sometimes it helps to ink large and reduce on a copy machine (or scan and print) slight imperfections are then minimized
In class
• Return/discuss mind game handout
• Present Letterform Relationships comps
• Discuss the Ambigram project and view samples
Assignment
• Select ambigram name, word, or phrase - if not your own name email Watson for approval
• Sketch numerous options exploring letterform ambigrammatically
• Mind game sheet

Wensday Febuary 18
Due
• Letterform Relationships comp: center the mark on 11" x 8.5" white paper, unmounted
• Results of your letterform mark readability survey - just for your info and input - I may ask about the results, but there is nothing to turn in.
Reminders
• Show the mark to as many people as you can - you are too biased to fairly judge readability
• Avoid a mark in which 3 letters have simply been grouped together
• Avoid being able to replace one of your letters with any of the other 25 letters
• Seek a mark that clearly communicates yet requires a little participation from the viewer
• Include in the mark some wit, cleverness, intrigue, barb, and memorability
• Seek a high level of attention to detail: alignment, neatness, relationships, order
• Strive for consistency in stroke weight (if appropriate), point size, pattern, rhythm, gaps, baseline, angles
Inking tips
• Use permanent ink felt/plastic tip markers
• Use a ruler or straightedge for even lines
• Use pencil or grey markers for tints of black
• Sometimes it helps to ink large and reduce on a copy machine (or scan and print) slight imperfections are then minimized
In class
• Return/discuss mind game handout
• Present Letterform Relationships comps
• Discuss the Ambigram project and view samples

Wensday Febuary 25
Due
• Ambigrams rough: inked in black, on 1 sheet of paper, to mount on bulletin board, if more than 1, put each on a separate page
In-class
• Return/discuss letterform relationship projects
• Present and discuss ambigram rough

Monday March 2
Due
• Neurobics form
• Puzzle mind game #2
• Mind game handout
• Ambigrams comps: computer printout or inked in black, on one sheet of paper, 11 x 8.5, unmounted
If the word becomes a different word when upside down, turn in a comp for each word.
In class
• Present and discuss ambigram comps
• Check out puzzle mind game 3
• WordPix project Project notes

Monday March 9
Due
• Final Neurobics form No more neurobics forms are due for the rest of the semester. Continue to participate in neurobics,
they should become part of your lifestyle until you die. All forms will be due at that time.
• Puzzle mind game #3
• Mind game handouts
• Rough sketches of 8 phenomenal WordPix images, 3-4 per page.
Write the word/phrase depicted on the back only.
In-class
• Post rough sketches on the board for discussion and refinement
• WordPix exercise
• Check out puzzle mind game 4

Monday March 30
Due
• Type in the Environment posters
Print info
The maximum print size in the computer lab is 11 x 17. These posters need to be larger than that so you will need to take your file off-campus or to the CHES print center (pdf to print out).
Staples can print 18 x 24 for about $20. Allow ample time in case they are backed up so you don't miss the 9:30 deadline. You must save your file as a pdf or a jpg for Staples to open it. Take a flash drive or cd to Staples or submit it online.
In class
• Present and discuss Type in the Environment posters
• Discuss Geometric font project

Wensday Febuary 4
• Conduct more surveys: show rough to people who don't know you to see if the words are communicating clearly. The more input you get, the better your work will be.
• Present Ambigram: tight rough or loose comp (whichever phrase you prefer). Consider: line weight, letterstroke width, consistency, baseline(s), stroke angles, etc.
• Work on continuity of letterforms to form a cohesive unified ambigram. The more finished your work is on Wensday, the 4th, the better your finished comp will be on the 9th.

Notes on sketching
• Sketches that are obvious - like setting a literal basketball on top of a twister/outlaw/scissortail with type under or next to it - are mandatory at the thumbnail stage. You need to go through the simple and obvious ones - they deserve rendering and consideration. But now you should push your work to go past the obvious. Strive to communicate the message with more sophistication, wit, cleverness, and viewer participation. Avoid work that looks like what a junior high kid would doodle in Algebra class.
• Continue to work at integrating type and image. Avoid the 'design-by-committee' look (elements that don't relate) or the look that says, "Oh shoot, I forgot to add the type."
• Explore communicating the team logo by using type only (or primarily type) like Mother & Child, Families, dialog, individual, eclipse, etc. You may not conclude it but you gotta try it. At the least, it may prompt a new direction or an element that might work in a more finished rendered identity.
• Explore how to communicate a basketball using the fewest number of lines or shapes. Many of you will explore including a basketball in the logo - give it a new twist and longer shelf-life by not having a literal rendering of the ball. Sketch ways to make it more abstract and stylized - maybe just a few lines or shapes. Explore how many lines are needed for a viewer to finally get that its a basketball. Provide just enough, no more. More lines than are necessary become clutter, often detract from the focus, and minimize the strength of the message.
Notes on decision making
I realize it may be frustrating, but if you show me a bunch of thumbnails, I'm not likely to tell you which ones are working or which ones have merit. Some students respond with, "well, you're no help" (what they mean is - "I'm too stupid and/or lazy to decide and I want you to do it for me"). I believe that I help you by not telling you which ones are the best. It helps you become a more intelligent, assertive, and confident decision-maker. Becoming a better designer is about becoming a better decision maker, and therefore, a better creative problem solver. If I decide which ones are good, I deprive you of the process of understanding, analyzing, debating, and concluding. You have probably been conditioned to 'please the teacher', but if you ever tell an interviewer or client, "This one works because my teacher said so," you may brand yourself an idiot. If becoming a successful idiot is your career goal, then tell me so I can make it easier on both of us and make all your design decisions for you.
Decide if you wish to be fair, good, or great. "To be good is not enough if you dream of being great".

Rough sketches
Remember it is at the rough stage of the process that all design decisions are made. Thumbnails are for non-judgmental exploration sketches and the comp is simply preparing the most successful rough sketch into presentable form. While you should avoid judgment at thumbnails, at the rough stage you must pass judgment and make decisions, based on the list of objectives. Review the target market(s), the list of objectives, and the results desired to help you determine which thumbnail ideas will be the most effective solution to the problem. The rough sketches serve to help you refine all elements - color, composition, font, point size, format, style, etc.

Wensday March 4
• Review/critique Bartlett Signage presentations:
• Bring draft (or finished) printouts of each component to prepare presentation compositions
• Discuss next project
• Team work time
Text block info
Somewhere on the board, place a block of info that includes the title, the concept statement, any explanatory rationale, and the specs. The look of this text should respect and enhance the elements in the project (use the same primary or secondary typeface, colors, layout, etc.) Sample info:
Bartlett Center Signage
• The concept for the new program of wayfinding and informational graphics is _____.
• The directory provides a quick glance _____.
• Each floor is color coded to enhance _____.
• The symbols are hand-rendered _____.
• The typeface mimics a robotic style of organic gardening _____.
Project Specs
• (Color palette)
• Materials:
• Primary typeface:
• Secondary typeface:
• Layout composition: 2" symbols with text copy set centered beneath

Monday March 9
Presentation display
Mount projects in the display case by 2:00pm. Class will not meet until 2 in case you need the hour from 1:00-2:00 for mounting. The cases are open now and will be available all weekend if you want to check the size or mounting capabilities. There are 3 cases, 2 projects per case. Allow about 4-6" between the two projects in the case. The height of the space available is 54" and the width available is 30" You do not need to use all of that space, just don't go larger than 30 x 54. As part of your text, list the students in your team. You do not need to list the team name you came up with - just the student names.
Class 2:00
• Informal discussion presentations of Bartlett Signage proposals:
Theme, concept, unifiers
Rationale for major design decisions
• Discuss next project: book cover designGraphic Design 2

Saturday August 30 Before 5:00p
Due by email link
1. The new BottleWater name.
2. Description of specific target markets.
3. List of objectives the new name should achieve.
4. List of adjectives that the name (and probably the logo) should convey.
5. Thorough rationale to justify why the proposed name is excellent - be very clear and persuasive. Avoid "I feel" "I believe" "I think" - talk only about the name and what makes it so appropriate for the target audience and how well it meets the objectives and conveys the adjective descriptors.
Weekend suggestions
• Show people the proposed name(s). Record or remember their responses - do they look confused, do they pause trying to figure it out, do they pronounce it as you intended. Remember, not everyone has to get it - only enough to justify investing in production of the rebranded product - at least 75%, preferably 85-90%.
• Ask those people what product they think the name might apply to.
• Use the new name in conversations with your friends - how does it sound, does it 'roll off the tongue' easily, does it seem awkward or cumbersome to pronounce.

Wensday September 3
Due
• WAF pdf form to print editable pdf form to print
• Mind game sheet - Double Dealer
• Rough sketches of the new logo for BottleWater. Over the weekend, continue with non-judgmental thumbnails, review objectives the logo should achieve, and then develop 1-3 of the most promising concept sketches into rough sketches. The 'rough' stage is when all design decisions are made. Thumbnails are for exploration of numerous options. Roughs are to help you narrow the chaos into more order and this is when you determine the most appropriate color, typeface, composition, rendering style, point size, baseline, type case, etc. Every element should be considered, debated (based on the lists of objectives and descriptor adjectives), and concluded to be the most effective way to enhance the communication of the identity.
In-class
• Review the Double Dealer mind game
• Critique/discuss Nude Assani logo sketches
Emphases
• Understanding of the design process
• Practice using the given criteria to assess logos
• Active participation in discussions with depth and objectivity
Assignment
• Produce a finished comp of the water identity.
• Prepare a paper addressing the name, the rationale for the name, the concept statement for the identity, and rationale of all design decisions for the identity.

Monday September 8
Due
• WAF pdf form to print editable pdf form to print
• Dasani comp presentations essay to read
1. A finished comp of the BottleWater identity, about a 6"- 8" mass. This can be as simple as a paper printout, but pay attention to composition on the page, neatness, and presentation of the identity.
2. A paper that includes these items:
a. The new name
b. The rationale for the name
c. A reduced version of the logo
d. The concept statement for the identity
e. Rationale for each design decision in the identity
There will be no formal oral presentation, but be prepared to provide answers in class that are persuasive, logical, and convincing.
The rationale for the name should be based on the objectives, the adjectives, and why the name is appropriate for the TM and for meeting the needs of The Coca-Cola Company. The concept statement of the identity can be as simple as,
"The new identity for BottleWater is a frisky lovable alligator perched on the edge of a drinking fountain with the name, BottleWater, in blue type swirling above its head in a freestyle rendering."
It is a brief statement that describes an overview of the logo and its main driving element so you and the client will be on the 'same page'. The most crucial section of the paper is the rationale for the design decisions. Strive to cover every element: case, font, color, rendering style, integrations, relationships, layout composition, and on and on. Address the elements that aid memorability, that allow easy readability, and convey positive emotions. Anticipate any questions or concerns and address those in the paper. The tone should be concise yet clear, positive, present tense, active language, and persuasive.

That's a lot of work to complete by Monday. This is quite realistic - at work, you will be faced with abrupt deadlines that come up at inconvenient times (when you still have lots of other stuff to do). This may help separate those who are committed to doing great work and those who wish to just get by. Manage time efficiently and avoid procrastination. Affirm that you are capable and competent and will make it happen.
In-class
• Present logo comps
• Discuss the faculty show
• Discuss name logo exercise
Assignment
• Sketches for name logo project Info

Monday September 15
• No more Weekly Activity Forms due for the rest of the semester. Continue to participate in neurobics and continue to critique design. These exercises should become part of your lifestyle until you die. All forms will be due at that time.
Due
• Tight sketches of 8 name logo exercises Info
In-class
• Share hilites from the Kyle Cooper presentation: what you learned, what impressed you, how you were inspired
• Critique tight sketches of name logo exercise, select best 4 for reproduction
• Discuss the poster project Info
Assignments
• Maintain a process book of all elements that affect the poster project Info
• Assessment for poster project Info

Monday September 22 5:00p
Due
• Email to Watson:
1. Poster topic, clearly stated, with brief explanation if necessary
2. Target market, very specific, primary and secondary, if appropriate
3. Objectives the poster should achieve
4. Results desired, what action you want the TM to take
5. Brief description of research conducted - not what you learned, just what you did
No class
• Work on the concept and thumbnail sketches for the poster project

Notes on sketching
• Sketches that are obvious - like setting a literal basketball on top of a twister/outlaw/scissortail with type under or next to it - are mandatory at the thumbnail stage. You need to go through the simple and obvious ones - they deserve rendering and consideration. But now you should push your work to go past the obvious. Strive to communicate the message with more sophistication, wit, cleverness, and viewer participation. Avoid work that looks like what a junior high kid would doodle in Algebra class.
• Continue to work at integrating type and image. Avoid the 'design-by-committee' look (elements that don't relate) or the look that says, "Oh shoot, I forgot to add the type."
• Explore communicating the team logo by using type only (or primarily type) like Mother & Child, Families, dialog, individual, eclipse, etc. You may not conclude it but you gotta try it. At the least, it may prompt a new direction or an element that might work in a more finished rendered identity.
• Explore how to communicate a basketball using the fewest number of lines or shapes. Many of you will explore including a basketball in the logo - give it a new twist and longer shelf-life by not having a literal rendering of the ball. Sketch ways to make it more abstract and stylized - maybe just a few lines or shapes. Explore how many lines are needed for a viewer to finally get that its a basketball. Provide just enough, no more. More lines than are necessary become clutter, often detract from the focus, and minimize the strength of the message.
Notes on decision making
I realize it may be frustrating, but if you show me a bunch of thumbnails, I'm not likely to tell you which ones are working or which ones have merit. Some students respond with, "well, you're no help" (what they mean is - "I'm too stupid and/or lazy to decide and I want you to do it for me"). I believe that I help you by not telling you which ones are the best. It helps you become a more intelligent, assertive, and confident decision-maker. Becoming a better designer is about becoming a better decision maker, and therefore, a better creative problem solver. If I decide which ones are good, I deprive you of the process of understanding, analyzing, debating, and concluding. You have probably been conditioned to 'please the teacher', but if you ever tell an interviewer or client, "This one works because my teacher said so," you may brand yourself an idiot. If becoming a successful idiot is your career goal, then tell me so I can make it easier on both of us and make all your design decisions for you.
Decide if you wish to be fair, good, or great. "To be good is not enough if you dream of being great".

Rough sketches
Remember it is at the rough stage of the process that all design decisions are made. Thumbnails are for non-judgmental exploration sketches and the comp is simply preparing the most successful rough sketch into presentable form. While you should avoid judgment at thumbnails, at the rough stage you must pass judgment and make decisions, based on the list of objectives. Review the target market(s), the list of objectives, and the results desired to help you determine which thumbnail ideas will be the most effective solution to the problem. The rough sketches serve to help you refine all elements - color, composition, font, point size, format, style, etc.

Thursday Febuary 7
Due
• Refined sketches (quantity: few-some) that show the most promise of effectively & efficiently meeting the objectives
• General direction (or specific direction, if you are already there) of the guiding concept
In-class
• Discuss the significant WAFs
• Discuss How to Grow as a Designer
• Critique/discuss sketches
• Discuss/clarify concept statements
Assignment
• Refine the concept and rough sketches, begin to finalize design decisions

Tuesday Febuary 12
Due
• WAF: with impeccable grammar and even deeper and more thorough analysis on the Design critique
• 1-2 tight roughs for the logo.
In-class
• Discuss final concept statements
• Critique/discuss tight roughs - discuss rationale for each element in the piece. If you can't justify an element adequately, you should delete or alter that element - if it doesn't enhance value, it becomes clutter for the viewer.
• Review oral presentations
Assignment
• Prep comp and oral presentation

Thursday Febuary 14 Happy St.Val's Day
Due
• Something to share with the class that is both chocolate and edible (with or without hearts)
• Logo comp
• Rehearsed presentations - more info
In-class
• Review presentation tips
• Eat chocolate
• Present NBA logos
Introduction/overview
Target market
Objectives
Logo with rationale for every design element
Conclusion
Reminders
Avoid 'um' 'you know' 'like'
Use language that is active, not passive; positive, not negative; and present, not past tense
Anticipate questions and address them in the presentation
Practice persuasive speaking with correct grammar
• Discuss stationery design (letterhead, envelope, and business card)
Assignment
• Develop a stationery package for the OKC NBA team:
1. Conduct research on standard size and format of each piece; postal regulations for envelopes; and styles, textures, and weights of paper.
2. Sketch several layout options for a stationery package for the OKC NBA team. Consider paper orientation, paper stock, cuts and folds, colors, etc. The logo/identity should 'drive' the layout composition of the 3 pieces - all pieces should respect & enhance the logo. The layout of each piece should convey similar adjective descriptors and meet similar objectives as those established for the logo.
Figure out what's working in the piece (the dominant logo element); exploit that and minimize the rest.

Tuesday Febuary 19
Due
• Logo comp: presentation size and reduced version
• Thoroughly rehearsed presentations. Practice to at least 4 of these 5 groups - to others in your household, apartment building, or dorm wing; to yourself in the mirror; to your dog, cat, or goldfish; to strangers at the mall; or to the person sitting next to you in church or at the movies (before the previews begin). Insert classic old joke here: "Excuse me, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?" Answer: "Practice, practice, practice."
In-class
• Present NBA logos. This is an opportunity to move from good to great - to improve and enhance the logo to one that is well thought out and effectively meets the objectives and also to improve the oral presentation. Your goal is to 'knock our socks off' and overwhelm the audience with your confidence, intelligence, enthusiasm, creativity, problem solving ability, and understanding of effective communication design.
• Discuss significant Weekly Activities
• Turn in mind game puzzles
• Discuss stationery design (letterhead, envelope, and business card)
Infractions which will lower your NBA logo concept and/or communication grade
• Not showing the logo in at least 2 sizes - presentation size and reduced print size
• Not mounting the main piece on black mat board
• Not paying attention to size and orientation of the logo background and the mat board
• Not showing the logo in accurate colors
• Not meeting these objectives, even though they seem contradictory: the new identity must fit in with the existing body of NBA logos yet stand apart and be unique from the existing NBA logos
Infractions which will lower your presentation grade
• Not looking at Watson during the introduction. Making eye contact with your audience during the opening introduction helps establish you as being in control and confident. It helps make a connection between you and the client.
• Looking at the blank board or the wall before you present the identity - the audience will follow your gaze and you don't want them to focus on a blank wall.
• Saying 'Um' or 'Uh' (or anything similar) more than 3 times - makes you sound unprepared, hesitant, and not confident.
• Saying 'kinda', 'sorta', or any other wimpy descriptor more than once - use statements that are firm and demonstrative. It does or it doesn't - it shouldn't kinda/sorta do something. But it is okay to say an element is 'subtle' or an image or feeling is 'implied' - those sound better than 'sorta'.
• Saying 'was used' or any other language that is past tense - speak in the here & now.
• Saying 'was used' or 'is used to' or any other words that are passive, rather than active - passive is not confident, persuasive, nor impressive.
• Not having nouns and verbs or modifiers and subjects agree - like 'objectives is', 'objective are, 'target markets is' or 'target market are'.
• Discussing elements which did not work or elements from other identities. Keep your rationale positive and focused on what is working in the piece, don't lead the audience astray by introducing elements or descriptions that take focus away from the piece.
Order of presentations
1. Glori
Assignment
Develop a stationery package for the OKC NBA team:
• Read about stationery here
• Conduct research on standard size and format of each piece; postal regulations for envelopes; and styles, textures, and weights of paper.
• Sketch several layout options for all 3 pieces of the NBA stationery package

Tuesday Febuary 26
Due
• Mind Games sheets
• Comps of the NBA stationery package - more info here
In-class
• Discuss the solutions to the 2 mind game sheets
• Discuss/critique the stationery package
• Discuss the poster project and the assessment stage
Assignment
• Assessment of the poster topic
• Determine the issue to be communicated and the action desired
• Begin to develop the content message to be communicated

Thursday Febuary 28
Due
• Poster project topic issue and general thoughts on the message content direction
• Specific target audiences, goal desired, and objectives
In-class
• Discuss poster issues, target audiences, goal desired, objectives, and content
Assignments
• Final Weekly Activity Form (no more WAFs will be due this semester)
• Complete the assessment step of the Design Process for the poster project
1. State the problem to be solved
2. Determine primary and secondary target markets
3. List objectives that the poster should achieve
4. State the result desired from the reader
• Continue to conduct research - become an authority on the topic, the audience, and the medium
• Write the headline, subhead and body copy, and slogan/tag line (if applicable)

Thursday April 17
Due
• Research findings from transit systems in other cities
Find the mission, cost per ride, name of the system, demographics, logos, route map, promotional materials, rider cards, etc. Become an authority on the public transit system in your selected city:
San Francisco - Chicago - London - Seattle - Portland - Paris - Miami - Toronto/Montreal - New York City - Washington DC - Beijing - Los Angeles - Tokyo
• Check this link for the Dallas system
In-class
• Discuss research findings
• Discuss naming the transit system
Team Time tasks
• Develop a To Do List
• Prioritize tasks
• Delegate tasks
• Name the team
• Brainstorm name for the system
• Discuss route designations: names/numbers/colors
Words of wisdom
"The best way to kill a good idea is to insist that its all yours."

Tuesday April 22 Team work time
Progress meetings with Watson
12:00 - 12:45 Team 1: Glori, Jenny, Kim, Leo
12:45 - 21:30 Team 2: Kelly, Rebecca, Ricardo
21:30 - 22:15 Team 3: Cheryl, Jared, Jennifer, Khusroo
22:15 - 23:00 Team 4: Heath, Lauren, Melissa
Due
• Team name
• Transit system name and thorough rationale
• Concepts and sketches for name identity
• Layout, copy, and optional name for the Rider Card
• Route map showing paths of the train lines - consider how to designate those lines: color, name (letter, number, or just the color - Ex: A train, Line 4, Blue route, Airport/Capitol route, etc.)
• Notes/sketches of any other items in the packageLink for the Dallas system

Thursday April 24
In-class
• Return & discuss menus
• Discuss transit progress: branding, system usage
• Determine station names - bring a hardcopy of the map to write in the names
• Discuss the Beck map, Environmental Graphic Design signage, web design
• Discuss promotion campaign: web domain name, web home page, magazine ad
• Determine the links that should be on the website home page
• Develop an outline draft for the oral presentation
Team Time
Strive to meet a 3:00p deadline of having these items:
• System name and sketch of the logo
• Corporate colors - lines and logo colors
• Typefaces for map, signage, website, and ads
• List of slogan options with finalists

Roundtable lunch discussions
Scenario
A working business lunch where you discuss your current project and get feedback from colleagues.
Place
Lakeside Fish Grill: Lake Hefner Parkway at Britton.
Day and timeThursday May 8, 1:00p - 2:55p
Presentation/discussion items
1. Finished comp of the logo, large enough to be seen by all at a large or long table. Provide rationale for the name and each graphic element in the identity - colors, type treatment, layout, etc. Not a formal presentation, select one or two to provide the rationale but anyone on the team can help out.
Note Please bring either a copy of the logo that is smaller than letter size or a digital copy on a flash drive to transfer to my laptop. I may put some of the logos up on my website. Thanks.
2. Roughs of each of the other pieces in the package and thoughts behind the design decisions:
• Stationery: letterhead, envelope, business card
• Rider card
• Route map
• Signage samples
• Advertisement, full page, Oklahoma Gazette
• Website home page
3. Dessert topics (as a class, not necessarily as teams):
• What were the advantages and challenges of working as a team (other than
scheduling meetings) - leadership roles, assertiveness, input, compromises?
• Should central Oklahoma invest in a light rail system? Or better and more highways?
• What are some ways, other than light rail, to address the growing traffic problems and environmental issues?
• If there is a MAPS3, what should the city spend money on that would improve the quality of life?

Monday December 8 Grades posted online
• Have a great holiday and semester break.

Tuesday September 4
Due
• Notes of thorough input on the following:
1. Notes of research on Major League Soccer: teams, logos, philosophies, marketing/promotions, colors, names, etc.
2. Persuasive and convincing rationale for the name Oklahoma Wind, Oklahoma City Wind, or any other name.
3. Convincing persuasive rationale for where the soccer stadium should be located.
4. List of objectives the logo should achieve: easy to reproduce, adaptable to a variety of media, appropriate for the TM, etc.
5. List of adjective descriptors the logo should convey: fun, action, excitement, etc.
6. Determination of the specific primary, secondary, and tertiary target markets.

Great rationale as discussed in class: economics (the owners of this new team want to make money - thru tickets, concessions, merchandise, endorsements, etc), pride in Oklahoma (national tv coverage will legitimatize us, bragging rights, winners, etc), entertainment (more stuff to do in OK, joy of group cheers, etc), and others.
Emphases
• Dynamite portfolio-quality logo of which you are very proud.
• Smooth rehearsed impressive presentation.
Anticipate questions and address them in the presentation.
Practice persuasive speaking with correct grammar.

Monday September 29
Assignments
• Maintain a process book of all elements that affect the poster project
• The poster project
Due
• Comps of final four name logos, 1 logo per page, unmounted
• Poster concept statement and sketches
In-class
• Read Typography projects
• Critique name logos
• Discuss poster issues, target audiences, results desired, objectives, and message content
• Present and discuss poster concepts and sketches
• Check out mind game puzzle 1
Assignments
• Continue to conduct research - become an authority on the topic, the sponsoring organization, the audience, and the medium
• Develop the most effective thumbnail ideas into rough sketches
• Refine the headline, subhead and body copy, and slogan/tag line (if applicable)

Wensday October 1
• Link to process book
• Link to poster project
Due
• Poster assessment paper to turn in:
Topic
Client and their contact info as it will be stated on the poster
Target markets: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (if applicable), avoid the dreaded "Too broad" response.
Objectives: at least 12 but no more than 46
Results desired: very specific and measurable
• Numerous exploratory sketches of various directions the message/content could go
In-class
• Turn in assessment papers
• Present and discuss poster sketches and content directions
Assignments
• Continue to conduct research - become an authority on the topic, the sponsoring organization, the audience, and the medium
• Develop the most effective direction sketches into a tight rough sketch(es)
• Refine the headline, subhead and body copy, and slogan/tag line (if applicable)

Wensday October 22
Due
• Bring samples of selected restaurant menus (food, drink, specials) and other table cards to class
In-class
• Discuss design
• Discuss restaurants, assessments, and menus and table cards: effectiveness, appropriateness, durability, cost, materials, comfort, binding, content, clarity of info (items, descriptions, nutrition, price), etc.
Emphasis
• Active participation in discussions and assessments with depth, objectivity, and from the diner's point of view.
Assignments
• Begin the assessment and research stages of the design process.
• Complete the About the restaurant section of the Menu design Process Book.
Reminders
• Your task as the designer is to easify the life of the diner.
• As you get a few minutes spare (?) time, type in the menu items to take care of that task. You can manipulate and make the typography decisions later.

Wensday November 5
Due
• Response to the essays Grow as designer and Learning & growth
• Wacky, bizarre, crazy, out-there proposals for menus
Note: Avoid barriers, negative affirmations, and any thoughts or attitudes that prevent you from being your true creative, inventive, and innovative self
In class
• Share your notes, inspirations, and musings on wacky and bizarre ideas
• Share a few of the barriers that you allow to inhibit your growth as a designer
• Discuss menu concepts and how to make them appropriate and feasible
Emphasis
• Convey clear communication of strong design concept
• Strive to convey what an intellectual and creative thinker you are
Assignments
• Continue to fill in the gaps in the Menu design Process Book
• Explore how to clearly communicate the Big Idea with rough sketches
• Studio time in class to further develop rough sketches

Wensday November 12 Room 305
Due
• Process Book with updated inserts
• Tite ruff of menu design. Preferable: model in actual size and in color.
• Optional: menu text copy for critique. You can include it on the model or indicate the copy position on the model and present a separate sheet of the text copy - whichever is most efficient.
In class
• Discuss ruffs individually with Watson: concept, layout composition, typography
• Proofreading opportunity: Watson will proof your menu copy and tell you how many errors he finds (there may be more). Bring the existing menu for cross-referencing.
• Studio time in class to further develop rough sketches

Monday November 17 Room 104
Due
• Menu comp and oral presentation
In class
• Present menu comps
Presentation outline
• Brief statement about the restaurant
• Show and 'walk-thru' the menu
• State the theme/concept
• Give the rationale for the major design decisions
Emphases
• Enthusiastic, rehearsed, and interesting presentations
• Correct spelling and well thought-out copy composition
• Strong craftsmanship and detail of finished model/comp
Infractions which will lower your presentation grade
• Not looking at Watson during the introduction. Making eye contact with your audience during the opening introduction helps establish you as being in control and confident. It helps make a connection between you and the client.
• Looking at the blank board or the wall before you present the menu - the audience will follow your gaze and you don't want them to focus on a blank wall.
• Saying 'Um' or 'Uh' (or anything similar) more than 3 times - makes you sound unprepared, hesitant, and not confident.
• Saying 'kinda', 'sorta', or any other wimpy descriptor more than once - use statements that are firm and demonstrative. It does or it doesn't - it shouldn't kinda/sorta do something. But it is okay to say an element is 'subtle' or an image or feeling is 'implied' - those sound better than 'sorta'.
• Saying 'was used' or any other language that is past tense - speak in the here & now.
• Saying 'was used' or 'is used to' or any other words that are passive, rather than active - passive is not confident, persuasive, nor impressive.
• Not having nouns and verbs or modifiers and subjects agree - like 'objectives is', 'objective are, 'target markets is' or 'target market are'.
• Discussing elements which did not work or elements from other menus. Keep your rationale positive and focused on what is working in the piece, don't lead the audience astray by introducing elements or descriptions that take focus away from the piece.
Order of presentations
1. Kalyn

Wensday November 19 Room 305
Open studio
• Work on New Product project
• Optional: bring in any semester coursework for individual input

Wensday December 3 Room 305
Due
• New Products
In-class
• New Product presentations
• Problem addressed: assessment of the current situation
• Target audience: who will benefit from the new product
• Proposed new product
• Explanation of what makes it so worthy of production and marketing

Wensday Febuary 4
• Wine label project: To make up for lost time, we'll discuss three elements:
1. The concept, theme, and direction; with rationale behind the ideas.
2. The bottle: bring to class the bottle and stopper/cap you will be proposing.
3. The visual look - sketches that convey decisions on paper texture and weight, colors, fonts, copy, layout composition, image/illustration, materials, etc.

Wensday Febuary 11
• Meet with client for the next project: logo and applications for FOLIO
NOTE: We will meet the client in room 104 at 3:30. Bring something to take notes with and on.
• Wine label project: optional final rough comp

Monday March 2
• Discuss presentation format
• Discuss/select next project
• Present comps:
1. Identity: printout on one page of 11 x 8.5
2. Stationery printouts:
a. Letterhead with letter on it, addressed to Karen - include the concept statement,
paragraph explaining the rationale behind the design, closing paragraph about
meeting objectives, and sign it from you as the Graphic Designer.
b. Envelope addressed to Karen with grey rectangle to show position of stamp.
c. Business card (will update this with info as soon as I hear from Karen).

Project info
Take advantage of this opportunity to have some control over the work that you complete to meet the personal objectives you have. Conduct a career assessment and use that to help you determine your final 2 projects. Example: if you want to work as a Graphic Designer or Art Director in an advertising agency, you should do some projects that involve advertising - coming up with images, headlines, copy, and taglines. Or if you want to work for a corporate design firm, do some work in corporate design (brochures, newsletters, promotions, etc.). If you want to do atypical design work, propose that - products, systems, etc.
Fill out the form describing both projects. Propose a calendar of due dates for each. You may not find it necessary to attend class for each of the remaining class periods - you could choose to give yourself a free day somewhere in your proposed calendar.
Bring a hard copy of the form to class for discussion and approval.

Info to put on the form
Brief description: what the project will entail (Ex: An advertising campaign aimed at teens to increase participation on Facebook)
Client, product, or service: the entity that will approve and accept your proposed design project (Ex: Facebook)
Project components: the media that will be used in the project (Ex: Web banner ads, Facebook pop-ups, email blasts, 20-second spots on MTV and Southpark)
Calendar, fill in the blanks to show what you plan to have ready by that date. Sample tasks:
Assessment
Research
Thumbnail sketches
Concept statement
Rough sketches
Comp presentation
Oral presentation (April 6 for Project 1 and April 29 for Project 2)Graphic Design Studio

Tuesday August 26 9:30a
Due• If you haven't yet, email Watson so he'll have your preferred email address
GPO• During the thumbnail/concept exploration phase, push yourself to go past the obvious. The obvious is Santa's sleigh flying over Boone Pickens Stadium, Pistol Pete in a Santa hat, the campus under a blanket of snow, etc. You should think about those things - even sketch them in your journal or sketchbook - they are valid, they might lead you to a new direction, and you need to get them out of your system. But then go farther (or is it further?) Interviewers and art directors don't want to see that you can do the obvious, they want more than that. Do not settle for good enough. Show the initiative, confidence, creativity, and intelligence to go past the obvious to the outstanding.• Explore the unexpected for a card - maybe consider emotions - the way the holidays make us feel, not necessarily how they look. OSU is about pride and spirit, maybe there's a connection there with the spirit of the holiday season.• Cynical but maybe valid approach - the holiday season is now mainly about shopping, excessive consumerism, and outbuying our friends and relatives. Secondarily its about food and parties.• Explore options that don't rely on standard card stock printed and folded.
In class• Discuss and critique assessment, research, and thumbnails • Develop and refine concept statements
Assignment• Finalize concept statements• Rough sketches• Short video worth watching

Friday August 29 Before 4:00p
Due• Email:
1. Concept statement - if you haven't yet settled on one final concept, email all the concepts (no more than 3) that have the most potential for success
2. Brief explanation of production details - if unique size, fold, material, tab, etc - describe those
3. Attached jpg sketches of thumbnails and/or roughs

A few lessons• Explore the unexpected for a card - maybe consider emotions - the way the holidays make us feel, not necessarily how they look. OSU is about pride and spirit, maybe there's a connection there with the spirit of the holiday season.• Avoid proposing a card that could be sold at Walmart for general purpose use. The President's Office can just go buy those. They want something special that will be unique to OSU.

Tuesday September 16NotePlease dress business casual on Tuesday. You will be presenting to the President's wife and other members of the President's Office and meeting with a new client after that. We want to impress clients with how professional we are in Graphic Design. Men: slacks and dress shirt, tie is optional - not necessary, but you may, if you wish. Ladies: pants/skirt & nice blouse or dress. Avoid wearing anything that detracts from or competes with the work. As with any presentation, your attire should visually respect and enhance the work.Due• Holiday Card printed, actual size, accurate colors, neat trims. You are welcome to email Watson revisions to your card if you need additional input.• Black mat board prepared with acetate pocket. Board has been ordered and is at Campus Art Supply. Acetate is available there, also.• Rehearse rationale for the design decisions in case questions are asked of you. Those with additional expenses (die-cuts, lasercuts, inserts, etc) should have a ballpark figure of the additional cost in case asked. Board format• Center the card on the board.• Acetate pocket should cover the bottom two-thirds of the card.

Schedule for Tuesday
9:00-9:30a• Post boards in the Gardner Gallery in the Bartlett Center. Watson will have velcro to attach to the back of the boards.• The deadline for the Holiday Card is Tuesday, September 16, 9:30am. If you miss the 9:30 deadline, your card will not be shown. Plan ahead.
10:00a Gallery• Visitors from President's Office peruse the cards displayed in the Gallery• Be available to answer questions and/or provide rationale
11:15a CLB 402 Conference Room• New client: OSU IT. Project: environmental graphics for computer labs.• Initial meeting with client - initial client meetings have 3 objectives:
1. Gather information
2. Discuss graphic materials desired
3. Get client contact information
Initial meetings are not for brainstorming, ideation, suggestions - just gathering information. • Take notepad and pen
Assignment• Determine teams of 3 people each• Research and complete assessment of the environmental graphics project: audience, objectives, production

Tuesday September 23
10:00a Math/Science building computer lab, north end of building• Tour 4 campus computer labs, conclude at Union• Group work time
Due, 1:00pEmail team name and rationale for the name to WatsonTuesday October 7Link to project notes
Due
Rough drafts of each of the following:• Statement of overall theme: bring draft, we will refine on Tuesday• Graphic theme/elements: icon/branding,• Media used to disseminate info: signs, screens, etc.• Color palette: dominant, secondary, etc. • Style manual: fonts, primary and secondary; bold/light, colors, treatment, size, FLRR, etc.• List of non-graphic recommendations: interior changes, colors, lighting, furniture placement, etc.• Additional items as discussed for your team
Team times - Room 104
9:30-10:00 Curly Fries
10:00-10:30 Design Curve
10:30-11:00 Lab Junkies
11:00-11:30 Plum Group
You only need to meet with Watson during your 30 minute designated team time. Use the rest of the morning for working with your team.

The time between now and the 14th will be precious (I guess all time is precious) - this is the week in which your team should finalize all design decisions. Every element. Every decision. Delegate and use time wisely. Remember, we make time for everything that is important to us. You will likely need to prioritize your classes, homework, meals, entertainment, leisure time, work, and Facebook time to insure that you devote adequate time to your team. This is the crucial week that will help determine the success of your proposal. The following week will be spent on final printouts, mounting, and rehearsing the presentation.
Due• Outline of presentation script, divided into speaking parts Info on presentations• Printouts of tight roughs of all pieces, unmounted
Class schedule
9:30 Meet as a class, room 104
• Discuss CLE oral presentations
Team schedule
10:00-10:20 Curly Fries
10:20-10:40 Design Curve
10:40-11:00 Lab Junkies
11:20-11:40 Plum Group
• Final design refinements
• Organize and prep oral presentations

Thursday October 23, 10:00am
Client meeting at the OSU 'Insect Adventure'. This will be a comprehensive project including a logo/identity brand, an exterior sign, and a brochure; and possibly a website, uniforms, display labels, stickers, and booth signs. We will discuss if you wish this to be a team project (with teams different than the CLE project), individual projects, or a combination of either individuals or pairs.
Meet at the 'Insect Zoo' building - on the map below, the yellow star on the south side of Virginia, west of Western. There is no sign marking the building (until you design it) but Watson will park his silver Dodge Nitro facing Virginia - park in that lot by the white building. As with any client meeting, plan your schedule so that you arrive at least 5 minutes early. If you arrive at the building after 10:00am do not bother coming inside. PDF version of the map.Tuesday November 11 Concepts, themes, and roughs• Finished printout of comp of branding logo identity• Layout for the branding stationery• Sketches for the corporate identity program, color palette, and typefaces

Tuesday November 18 Rough sketches• Logo - finished comp • Stationery• Page showing components of the graphic theme • Draft of brochure - dummy showing construction, layout, application of theme elements• Sketch of bus graphic options• Sketch of exterior sign options• Sketches for web home pageNote: Include a letter on the stationery letterhead. The TM never sees a blank letterhead - it is the most crucial and important element on the page. Design the page layout with it as a component. Sneaky tip: The letter should be the rationale for the logo and the graphics package. This way, the client has a written copy of the rationale to refer to or show others.

Tips• Put contact info on bus - either the web address or the phone number• The concept of the logo/identity should 'drive' the layout of the stationery.• Materials for the public should convey fun, bugs, energy, motion, intrigue, etc; materials for business (vendors, donors) should convey fun plus a sense of professionalism.• Website home page: provide info for visitors (map, hours, activities, etc.)• We decided as a class that Andrine should buy either of the domain names below. She may not, but lets all propose them to show how much better it reads. You may use either option:
www.insectadventure.com
www.insectadventure.okstate.edu
(the www is probably optional now - decide which works better in your composition.)• The street address for the Adventure building is 3003 West Virginia Avenue. But, we google mapped it and discovered the 3003 is unnecessary. If you put West Virginia on your map, that should give adequate info for someone to locate it on a map search engine. Which is good since two physical mailing addresses could be confusing. And Andrine says the location address isn't even marked at the building site.• The brochure target is primarily for potential visitors - group leaders, camp counselors, teachers, etc. That will make a better -presentation. She can write the donor info on her new letterhead or request a donor-specific brochure later.• Remember to put the line 'Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service' somewhere on the brochure. They are the primary funders.• On the letterhead letter, include a brief opening paragraph from you to her and the overall concept and theme of the new graphics package, a paragraph with the important explanatory rationale - items you would have mentioned in an oral presentation and items you want Andrine to have to refer to later, a closing paragraph, and room for your signature with this info below your signature:
Student name
Graphic Designer
student@email.address
FON-ENU-MBER
There is probably no need for parentheses around the area code - callers will be from different area codes anyway - 646-505-9059 often looks better than (646) 505-9059. FYI: many cities, like Dallas, require all 10 digits to be dialed so the parentheses may become obsolete soon.• Build an acetate pocket for the brochure or you could mount the cover, inside, and back. Then you wouldn't need the pocket - either one is fine. Do the method that is most appropriate and most impressive.

Presentation board• To make a consistent showing, put all elements on one board that is 24" x 34". You may build a large file and print it all out on one sheet (with a black background) or you may print out each element and mount them on a black board.• Arrange all elements to fit within a live area of 21" x 31". How you arrange the elements within that space is up to you.• The letterhead, envelope, business card, and brochure should be actual size. Reason: clients and the public are less visual thinkers than designers and if any of those items are reduced, they may think you are proposing them at that size. The other items are not size specific and can be reduced to fit on the board.• Sample layouts for board:

Tuesday December 2 Display boards for presentation
10:00-10:50
Mount boards on glass wall, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, northwest wing of the NRC
Text/call Watson if you get lost: 646-505-9059
Watson will have mounting tape for the back of your board
11:00-12noon
Reception with faculty and staff of the DEPP
Individual discussions with Watson

Tuesday December 9 Grades posted online
Have a great holiday and semester break. www.jamesrobertwatson.com/coursecalendars.html